Gay marriage court win in Ohio may spawn new lawsuits

BY AMANDA LEE MYERS, ASSOCIATED PRESS

CINCINNATI -- Two gay men who successfully sued to get their out-of-state marriage recognized in Ohio despite a state ban are at the forefront of what supporters and experts believe will be a rush of similar lawsuits aiming to take advantage of an apparent legal loophole.

John Arthur of Cincinnati, who is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, won the right to be listed as married on his death certificate and to have his partner of more than 20 years listed as his surviving spouse.

The federal judge's order Monday came after Arthur and his partner, Jim Obergefell, sued state and local officials to ensure that they can be buried next to each other in Arthur's family plot, which is in a cemetery that only allows descendants and spouses.

At least four similar lawsuits are pending in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Nevada. On Friday, a Louisville couple filed a federal challenge to Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriage, contending the state doesn't treat them and similar couples equally with other married couples.